Environmental

Corps assessing future of hydropower production in Willamette Valley

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Corps assessing future of hydropower production in Willamette Valley

The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning two virtual public information sessions to discuss the role of hydropower at its Willamette Valley dams and how the Corps is answering Congress’ call to look at the future of that hydropower.

The Portland District operates 13 dams across the Willamette River basin. Each dam contributes to a water resource management system that provides flood risk management, power generation, water quality improvement, water supply, irrigation, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation for the Willamette River and many of its tributaries. Nine of the Willamette Valley dams generate hydroelectricity. Eight of these facilities are owned and operated by the Corps, and one is a private facility licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Collectively, these projects provide a capacity of 500 MW.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 provides authorization for the Portland District to complete a report to Congress containing information on a determination of federal interest in, and identifying the effects of, removing hydropower as an authorized purpose – in whole or in part – from the Willamette Valley system of hydropower dams.

The act authorizes “much-needed investments in projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the country.” This bipartisan legislation ensures timely congressional authorization of Corps studies and projects.

In response to the act, the Portland District is performing an initial assessment – based on existing information – which then will be provided in a report to Congress. The report will inform future actions on whether the Portland District should proceed to a full disposition study. The study would assess in detail whether to remove hydropower at one or more dams and the effects that action would have on the system. The report provides information requested by Congress and does not result in a decision on hydropower.

Later this year, the Corps will also host separate public “listening” sessions, during which the public can provide perspectives and opinions on the future of hydropower across the Corps’ Willamette Valley system of dams. The Corps will record the comments during those sessions and include them in its report to Congress verbatim.